(In front of the Von Trapps' house, Maria wonders at its grandeur. She knocks at the door. A man appears.)

　　M: Hello, here I am! I'm from the convent. I'm the new governess, Captain.

　　Franz: And I'm your butler, Fraulein.

　　M: Oh, well, how do you do? Hmm.

　　Franz: Wait here, please.

　　(While waiting, Maria enters a hall. It is such a magnificent hall, that she can't help dancing. The Captain appears.)

　　Captain (Short for C): Why do you stare at me that way?

　　M: Well, you don't look at all like a sea captain, sir.

　　C: I'm afraid you don't look much like a governess. Turn around, please.

　　M: What?

　　C: Turn. Hat off. It's the dress. You have to put on another one before you meet the children.

　　M: But I don't have another one. When we enter the abbey, our worldly clothes are given to the poor.

　　C: What about this one?

　　M: The poor didn't want this one.

　　C: Hmm.

　　M: I would have made myself a new dress but there wasn't time. I can make my own clothes.

　　C: Well, I'll see that you get some material. Today, if possible. Now, Fraulein...er....

　　M: Maria.

　　C: Fraulein Maria, I don't know how much the Mother has told you?

　　M: Not much.

　　C: You're the twelfth in a long line of governesses, who have come to look after my children since their mother died. I trust that you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours.

　　M: What's wrong with the children, sir?

　　C: There was nothing wrong with the children, only the governesses. They were completely unable to maintain discipline. Without it, the house cannot be properly run. Please remember that, Fraulein.

　　M: Yes, Sir.

　　C: Every morning you will drill the children in their studies. I will not permit them to dream away their summer holidays. Each afternoon they will march about the ground, breathing deeply. Bedtime is to be strictly observed. No exceptions.

　　M: Excuse me, sir. When do they play?

　　C: You'll see to that they conduct themselves at all time with the utmost orderliness and decorum, I'm placing you in command.

　　M: Yes, sir.

　　(Captain blows his whistle. After slamming of doors, the children appear on the terrace in a line, and then walk down one by one.)

　　C: Now, this is your new governess, Fraulein Maria. As I sound your signals, you will step forward and give your name. You, Fraulein, will listen carefully. Learn their signal so you can call them when you want them.

　　Liesl: Liesl.

　　Frederick: Frederick.

　　Louisa: Louisa.

　　Kurt: Kurt.

　　Bargitta: Bargitta.

　　Marta: Marta.

　　(The youngest girl steps forward.)

　　C: And Gretl. Now, let's see how well you listened.

　　M: Oh, I won't need to whistle for them, Reverend Captain. I mean, I'll use their names. And such lovely names.

　　C: Fraulein, this is a large house. The grounds are very extensive. I will not have anyone shouting. You will take this, please. Learn to use it. The children will help you. Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear.

　　M: No, sir. I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too humiliating.

　　C: Fraulein, were you this much trouble at the abbey?

　　M: Oh, much more, sir.

　　C: Hmm.

　　M: Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal.

　　C: You may call me Captain.

　　(Captain leaves.)

　　M: At ease. Well now that there's just us. Would you please tell me what are your names again and how old you are?

　　Liesl: I'm Liesl. I'm sixteen years old and I don't need a governess.

　　M: Well, I'm glad you told me, Liesl. We'll just be good friends.

　　Frederick: I'm Frederick. I'm fourteen. I'm impossible.

　　M: Really? Who told you that, Frederick?

　　Frederick: Fraulein Josephine. Four governesses ago.

　　Louisa: I'm Bargitta.

　　M: You didn't tell me how old you are, Louisa.

　　Bargitta: I'm Bargitta, she's Louisa. She's thirteen years old and you're smart. I'm ten and I think your dress is the ugliest one I ever saw.

　　Kurt: Bargitta, you shouldn't say that.

　　Bargitta: Why not? Don't you think it's ugly?

　　Kurt: Of course, but Fraulein Helder's was ugliest. I'm Kurt. I'm eleven. I'm incorrigible.

　　M: Congratulations!

　　Kurt: What's incorrigible?

　　M: I think it means you won't be treated like a boy.

　　Marta: I'm Marta and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday. And I'd like a pink parasol.

　　M: Well, pink is my favorite color, too. Yes, you're Gretl, and you're five years old? My, you're practically a lady! Now I have to tell you a secret. I've never been a governess before.

　　Louisa: You mean you don't know anything about being a governess?

　　M: Nothing. I'll need lots of advice.

　　Louisa: Well, the best way to start is to be sure to tell father to mind his own business.

　　Frederick: You must never come to dinner on time.

　　Bargitta: Never eat your soup quietly.

　　Kurt: And during dessert always blow your nose.

　　Gretl: Don't believe a word they say, Fraulein Maria.

　　M: Why not?

　　Gretl: Because I like you.

　　Frau Schmidt: All right now, children! Outside for your walk. Father's orders. Now, hurry up! Hurry up! Quick, Quick…Fraulein Maria, I'm Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper.

　　M: How do you do!

　　Frau Schmidt: How do you do! I'll show you to your room. Follow me.

　　(On the way to her room, Maria feels something strange in her pocket. It is a toad. She cries out and throws it away. The children watch this and leave in laughter. Later the dinner is served, Maria is late.)

　　M: Good evening. Good evening, children.

　　Children: Good evening, Frauen Maria.

　　(Without noticing a pinecone on her chair, Maria sits on it, jumps up with pain and immediately.)

　　M: Ha Ha.

　　C: Enchanting little tune. Something you learned at the abbey?

　　M: No, erm... it's eh... rheumatism. (Sits down again) Excuse me, Captain, haven't we forgotten to thank the Lord? For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.

　　C: Amen.

　　M: I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the precious gift you left in my pocket earlier today.

　　C: Erm... What gift?

　　M: It's meant to be a secret Captain, between the children and me.

　　C: Aha. Then I suggest that you keep it and let us eat.

　　M: Knowing how nervous I must have been. A stranger in the new household. Knowing how important it was for me to feel accepted. It was so kind and thoughtful of you to make my first moments here so warm and happy and pleasant.